Broadway'sBuena Vista Social ClubOffers First Look at Making of the Album's Signature Song 'Chan Chan' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

The sound of Havana is coming to Broadway.

News of the production was announced on Sept. 16, exactly 27 years after the album was released. But now, PEOPLE has an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the original Broadway cast recording — and specifically, the recording of “Chan Chan,” the iconic ballad that has become one of the original album’s most popular tracks.

It’s a preview ofBuena Vista Social Club: The Journey to Broadway, a new video series documenting the musical’s creation.

‘Buena Vista Social Club’ on Broadway.Courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

Courtesy of Atlantic Theater Company

In the clip, from episode 7, Music Producer Dean Sharenow, Music Consultant Juan de Marcos González and members of the Broadway company gather together at Manhattan’s famed Reservoir Studios to lay down the track. The goal, they say, is to recapture the magic and spirit of the original record.

“‘Chan Chan’ might be the most famous song the from the 1990s album,” Sharenow explains. “It gets into your soul in a way that only the best music can. Whether you understand the lyrics or not, it instantly touches you.”

“The music ofBuena Vista Social Clubis originally from Cuba, but it is truly international,” González adds. “It is listened to all over Latin America, all over the world.”

In fact, Renesito Avich — who plays Eliades in the stage show — says that “Chan Chan” was one of the first songs he learned how to play.

“‘Chan Chan’ is special,” he says, noting the song has been with him since he was 6 years old. ‘My whole life I’ve only wanted to play it the best way possible, and that’s what we are doing with the musical.”

Buena Vista Social Clubis set to open on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Previews begin Friday, Feb. 21.

In addition to Avich, the cast will feature Natalie Venetia Belcon (Omara), Julio Monge (Compay), Mel Semé (Ibrahim), Jainardo Batista Sterling (Rubén), Isa Antonetti (Young Omara), Da’von Moody (Young Compay), Wesley Wray (Young Ibrahim), Leonardo Reyna (Young Rubén), Ashley De La Rosa (Young Haydee), and Justin Cunningham (Juan de Marcos).

Andrew Montgomery Coleman, Carlos Gonzalez, Anthony Santos, Martín Sola, Tanairi Sade Vazquez, Angélica Beliard, Carlos Falú, Héctor Juan Maisonet, Ilda Mason, Marielys Molina and Sophia Ramos round out the company.

Among those the production team areJohn Leguizamo, Luis Miranda andLaChanze.

“I think this musical is a game changer for the culture,” Leguizamo tells PEOPLE. “It features the genesis of all Latin music. The birth of the music and the conflicts it arose from… This is the show I’ve been waiting for my whole life. What an honor and pleasure to be a part of this magical work.”

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Tickets forBuena Vista Social Clubare now on sale.

source: people.com